The Hass Avocado Industry Board Leadership Development, or BOLD, program has graduated 12 new leaders.
The graduates represent the third consecutive class to have completed the year-long specialized instruction, according to a news release.
Fresh avocado consumption in the U.S. is up 260% over the last 20 years, and the Hass Avocado Industry Board Leadership Development program seeks to identify and train high-potential individuals to help oversee and actualize the exciting vision of the industry through board service, the release said.
“The avocado marketplace in the U.S. is highly competitive, and industry success relies on our ability to keep building demand in pace with the dynamic growth in global supply,” John McGuigan, director of industry affairs for the Hass Avocado Board and 35-year veteran in the produce industry, said in the release. “Invested stakeholders from across the supply chain and the various countries of origin agree we have a responsibility to develop future leaders for this industry and aligned four years ago to develop BOLD as a key resource to identify and develop the talent needed.”
Equipped with a deeper understanding of what drives as well as potentially impedes business growth, BOLD Class 3 now contributes to the future of the avocado industry at a higher level and joins the ranks of previous BOLD graduates already serving on boards in the avocado industry, the release said.
The BOLD curriculum includes in-person instruction at the University of California, Davis, that covers the core responsibilities and operations of a successful board. Under the guidance of industry veterans and HAB staff, participants learn about how to leverage critical functions like research and marketing to achieve industry goals. A new module on finance and governance, for example, will teach how to read financial statements and understand and evaluate rules of governance so graduates can excel with their fiduciary responsibilities and ability to drive action once seated on a board.
BOLD Class 3 graduates include:
- Olivia Avellaneda, importer, London Fruit.
- Victoria Cao, importer/producer, Del Rey Avocado.
- Lilia Carmen, importer, Mission Produce.
- Michael Craviotto, producer, Grace Farms and Orchards.
- Emely Allen Fernandes, importer, Mission Produce.
- Jorge Mario Gomez, importer/producer, Henry Avocado.
- Nick Lahr, importer, Calavo Growers.
- Nathan Lurie, producer, Brokaw Ranch Co.
- Alfredo Rodriguez, importer, Villita Avocados.
- Daniel Ruiz, producer, International Fresh Guacamole.
- Casey Stoops, producer, Hidden Springs Ranch.
- Jennifer Zendejas, importer, West Pak Avocado.
BOLD Class 4 was seated recently in April. Learn more about how the program benefits the avocado industry and hear from the participants at HassAvocadoBoard.com/bold-program.
